The Leader of Hampshire County Council is calling on communities across the county to join the first ever Community Clear Up Day.

Councillor Roy Perry will be leading by example as he heads a team of volunteers in his home village of Wellow, in Test Valley, on Saturday 21 March 2015 - clearing litter along the A36. The group will meet at the Wellow roundabout at 10.30am and spread out along the road where it is safe to do so.

Community Clear Up Day is a Government initiative backed by Keep Britain Tidy, taking place on the first day of spring. Local Government Minister Kris Hopkins, supported by Environment Minister Dan Rogerson, is calling on people of all ages and backgrounds to come together and lend a hand to tidy up in time for summer. The focus is on city centres, high streets, villages and parks - anywhere that can turn from an eyesore to asset.

Councillor Perry has vowed to do his bit to clean up Hampshire, and regularly organises litter picks in Wellow. He has also urged the Government and Highways Agency to clear litter left on the county's motorways and trunk roads.

Councillor Perry said: "I do hope communities all over Hampshire will rise to this commendable challenge from Government. We have some wonderful volunteers who do excellent work, week in and week out, and I congratulate those who get involved in litter picking, but this is an opportunity for everyone, from all walks of life, to do their bit in keeping all public spaces in Hampshire clean and tidy, and to take pride in where they live.

"I'd like to see society bear down more heavily on people who think it's acceptable to drop litter - something that costs the public purse hundreds of millions of pounds to clear up each year. I'm also keen that those having to undertake Community Service are more involved in clearing up litter from Hampshire roadsides, and I will be writing to our partners who deal with offender rehabilitation on this matter.

"I would urge everyone who cares about our beautiful area to give some of their time to help clear it up."

In addition to the team Cllr Perry is organising, there will be a team litter picking in Romsey on 21 March at Abbotswood and Woodley being organised by Test Valley Borough Council.

A number of clear ups have already taken place in other locations across Hampshire. The annual Yateley Common Spring Clean saw more than 100 volunteers, young and old, collect 75 bin bags of rubbish.

Last week at Lepe Beach, volunteers joined television presenter Dan Snow, to clear 12 bags of litter from a mile of the beach.

Community Clear Ups due to take place on 21 March include volunteers coming together at Wicor Recreation Ground in Cranleigh Road, Portchester, from 10.15am, and in Fareham town centre from noon.

A community beach clean will also take place at Royal Victoria Country Park on Saturday 18 April.

More information about Community Clear Up Day can be found online, via Twitter #ClearUpDay, or on Facebook

]]>Thu, 12 Mar 2015 17:44:00 GMT£1.1 million to help secure the future of Royal Victoria Country Park's historic Chapel buildinghttp://www3.hants.gov.uk/hantswebnewslist.htm?id=670781http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hantswebnewslist.htm?id=670781
£1.1 million to help secure the future of Royal Victoria Country Park's historic Chapel building

Thursday 12 March 2015

Exciting plans to conserve Netley Chapel at Royal Victoria Country Park for future generations are a step closer thanks to Hampshire County Council.

At his decision day on Thursday 12 March, Leader of Hampshire County Council, Councillor Roy Perry, agreed to release £1.1 million towards the conservation and updating of the Chapel. The work will be among the first transformational projects to be delivered as part of the Council's ambitious plans to attract more visitors, all year round, to its country parks.

Councillor Perry, Executive Member for Policy and Resources, said: "Royal Victoria Country Park is such a valuable historic site, which is why it is the first to benefit from the County Parks transformation programme. This scheme will help us to meet the needs of a new generation of visitors and ensure the long term future of our country parks. The Chapel project aims to encourage new visitors to come and experience the park and learn about the role played by the military hospital during the First World War and other conflicts. There will be greater opportunities for volunteers, and schools, and community involvement in the park."

In January 2014, the Chapel project received a Heritage Lottery grant of £102,000 to help develop an application for a full Heritage Lottery grant of £1.7million for the conservation project, which will cost a total of £2.8 million. Hampshire County Council is required to provide £1.1 million to match the Heritage Lottery Funding and complete the scheme.

Councillor Perry added: "We hope the grant application will be successful as, for the first time in ten years, it will enable the Chapel to open at least six days a week. Visitors will be able to climb to the top of the tower unaccompanied, visit an exciting new exhibition and relax in the improved landscaped surroundings."

It is anticipated that:

The access to the Chapel building will be extended for all abilities, with conservation work completed throughout, including restoring the historic ornate, hand painted glass windows. A new sympathetic building will replace the old extension currently on the front of the Chapel.

Around the park and within the Chapel, where there will be four floors of interpretation, the global story of the military hospital and the Chapel will be told. Individuals' stories will explore the recovery, rehabilitation, and research into medical advances that took place at the hospital. There will be many volunteers involved in the management of the Chapel, helping tell the stories, leading guided walks, researching the archives and looking after the artefacts.

A renewed and extended programme for primary, secondary schools and colleges will be established, alongside an exciting events programme of living history, music and children's theatre. The Chapel's collection will receive significant conservation, care and curation.

The Chapel will become well-regarded as a cultural venue, offering a varied programme of performances and events, increasing the cultural offer of the area, increasing visitor numbers and encouraging different audiences to visit the park.

The Country Parks transformation programme is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the County Council's six country parks in order for them to remain relevant to current and future visitors. The County Council has set aside £8.7 million and a key element is to secure £4.2 million external funding to ensure these well-loved and unique parks continue to attract the next generation of visitors and are financially sustainable in the future.

Between them, the County Council's Country Parks attract 1.2 million visitors a year due to their distinctive character, wildlife value and wide range of activities on offer. Despite the popularity of the parks, it is clear they are now showing their age and the facilities offered to the public are not keeping up with today's growing needs.

The ambitious programme will provide much needed investment into these parks over a five year period, and provide the country parks with improved facilities and more activities for people to enjoy, while supporting the unique aspect of each park. The programme will also look at ways to improve the experience for visitors during wet weather, making the parks all-year-round visitor destinations.

From 1863 until 1966, the site of Royal Victoria Country Park was home to the Royal Victoria Military Hospital. It was more than a quarter of a mile long and the British Army's first purpose-built hospital which devoted more than 100 years of service to caring for sick and wounded soldiers from across the world. Queen Victoria laid the foundation stone herself on 19 May 1856 and visited the site more than 20 times in her lifetime.

]]>Thu, 12 Mar 2015 17:41:00 GMTArts and community organisations awarded one off grant funding of more than £6,000.http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hantswebnewslist.htm?id=670173http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hantswebnewslist.htm?id=670173
Arts and community organisations awarded one off grant funding of more than £6,000.

Thursday 5 March 2015

A programme to help manage green spaces in Hampshire and The Spring Arts Heritage Centre in Havant have benefitted from more than £6,000 in grants from Hampshire County Council.

At his decision day on Thursday 5 March, Councillor Keith Chapman, Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Culture, Recreation and Countryside, awarded grants to two groups.

Cllr Chapman said: "These groups provide opportunities for people to participate and enjoy a range of community focused, cultural and recreational activities. This complements our work in many ways and the investment we make that supports the wider economic, cultural and social wellbeing for Hampshire residents and all the benefits that brings. It is important in the current economic climate that organisations are helped to become self sustaining and less dependent on the County Council for funding, particularly as financial pressures continue."

The Conservation Volunteers received £3,000 to develop and pilot project tailored to offer support to parish and town councils in the management of green spaces in Hampshire.

The Spring Arts and Heritage Centre in Havant received £3,818 to evaluate the success of the current workshop programme and to develop different types of children's holiday workshops to increase income.

]]>Thu, 05 Mar 2015 16:16:00 GMTNew camping 'pods' to benefit service personnel, veterans and their familieshttp://www3.hants.gov.uk/hantswebnewslist.htm?id=670119http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hantswebnewslist.htm?id=670119
New camping 'pods' to benefit service personnel, veterans and their families

Thursday 5 March 2015

Hampshire County Council has given the go ahead to install a self-contained camping pod "village" at Tile Barn Outdoor Centre in the New Forest to benefit armed forces service personnel, veterans and their families.

The project to build 20 pre-constructed, fully accessible units at the County Council outdoor facility in Brockenhurst was given the seal of approval by Councillor Keith Chapman, Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Culture, Recreation and Countryside, at his decision day on Thursday, 5 March 2015.

The total cost of the project is around £300,000 with the majority of the funding, £250,000, coming from the Armed Forces Covenant, one of their highest financial grants to date. Funding for the installation of the pods will come from the County Council's capital programme in terms of costs and fees.

Cllr Chapman said: "During World War One the Tile Barn site was a hospital for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers and wounded Indian service personnel and as such it has historic links to the armed forces. This project not only has links to the past but offers a bright future for our serving armed forces men and women, veterans and their families, of all abilities, so they can take a well deserved break as a family in one of the most beautiful spots in the country. Hampshire is proud to have been the second authority in the country to have signed up to the Community Covenant, showing our commitment to supporting and working with the Armed Forces community."

Tile Barn Outdoor Centre is next door to St Nicholas', the oldest Church of England church in the New Forest and the only CofE church in the country with Indian war graves.

Tile Barn has been a camping and outdoor centre since the early 1970s and has recently benefitted from a new, fully accessible shower and toilet block, which will support use of the pod "village". The centre was set up to provide cost effective outdoor residential experiences to school children in Hampshire. It can cater for up to 350 young people in fully equipped campsites and a 37 bed bunkhouse facility.

The Pods will cater for all the existing and future customers of the centre on a pre booked basis. However, at weekends and during holiday periods, priority will be given to members of the armed services, their families and veterans who can enjoy this wonderful facility free of charge, subject to availability.

Planning permission for the pods was approved by the New Forest National Park Authority in January.

Hampshire County Council's investment in youth services and facilities across the county was highlighted when Council Leader, Councillor Roy Perry, joined young people from Ringwood School, Ringwood Town Council and other funding partners, on-site to mark the start of construction for Ringwood's new, purpose built youth facility.

The building will be taking shape, next to the skate park, on Carvers Playing Field, over the next 24 weeks at a total cost of £548,000. Hampshire County Council has contributed £400,000 to the project from its 'Investing in Hampshire Fund' adding to a £70,000 contribution from New Forest District Council, £75,000 from the Town Council and £5,000 from Ringwood School.

Councillor Perry commented: "This is an excellent example of councils working in partnership to improve services and facilities that are especially of benefit to Hampshire's young people. I am very pleased that the County Council has been able to contribute to this investment, and I commend the Town Council and Ringwood's local community for their vision and commitment to put up some of their own funding. I am confident that this will be a well-used and much valued building, with regular activities and sports, as well as access to advice and support on a wide range of issues, such as health, learning, training and employment."

School student, Sam Whittingham, said: "It will finally be a place for young people to go after years of trying to raise the money for it, and years of having nowhere for young people to go. It will be a good place for people to meet with their friends and have fun and some independence."

Fellow student, Jade Wardle agreed. She said: "It will be really good because we have waited five years and when it is finished we will be able to come here and talk to our friends instead of using the skate park or sitting under a tree."

The building will provide a permanent base for youth-based activities and youth workers to include a youth club, as well as charities and voluntary organisations that provide advice and support services for young people. It will also be a meeting place for the Town Counci's Youth Advisers, and can be hired for parties and events.

More than 200 people have been given funding or support through the Hampshire Talented Athlete Scheme (HTAS) for 2015, which has seen its funds doubled thanks to extra funding from Hampshire County Council's Olympic Legacy Programme.

240 athletes have been accepted onto the scheme, which is co-ordinated by Sport Hampshire & IOW. It is designed to support young athletes by helping to reduce the financial burden on them and their families, as well as encouraging their progression in their chosen sport. The level of support varies depending on the performance level of the athlete.

Former members who have benefitted from Hampshire's scheme include Olympic gold medal cyclist Dani King, originally from Hamble, and Olympic bronze medal hockey star Alex Danson, from Odiham.

The County Council's Olympic Legacy programme was launched in July 2013, with the help of Dani King, and has awarded HTAS £92,000 per year for the next three years as an investment in Hampshire's talented athletes. The money helps support local athletes with training, sports science, travel and physiotherapy as well as monetary grants.

Over 1150 of Hampshire's most promising sportsmen and women have received support via the scheme since 2004.

56 athletes have been offered the full support package worth £3,315 in 2015.

Louise Damen, from Winchester ranked second in the UK for marathon running, said: "HTAS has been hugely beneficial to me as an athlete. It has facilitated my training by limiting the number of barriers that I face, enabling me to focus 100% on achieving my goals. I am able to access local sports facilities free of charge and have also received some much appreciated financial assistance which will help to fund an altitude training camp this year. This support will certainly help me towards my goal of running an Olympic qualifying time for the marathon in 2015."

Danielle Harrison, a Figure Skater from Basingstoke who has been selected to represent Team GB at the 2015 European Youth Olympic Festival, said: "HTAS helps me by contributing towards the excessive equipment costs. My goals for 2015 are to represent Great Britain in the Junior World Championships."

National and international level athletes can receive a range of benefits, including a monetary grant, free access to leisure centres, fast track physiotherapy, free bus travel from local companies, Stagecoach, Bluestar and First as well as sports science support from Southampton Solent University. Regional and county level performers can also benefit from fast track physiotherapy services.

At a time when costs associated with training and competition are on the increase, the scheme is seen by many current and previous recipients as a much-needed injection of support.

Vikki Payne, from Havant, in the Royal Yachting Association Podium Potential Squad, said: "HTAS has continued to support me through Youth and now at Olympic level sailing through various workshops and Sport Science support. The gym membership support has enabled me to train regularly and effectively which has had a huge contribution to my development. My goal for 2015 is to stand on the podium at the Youth World Championships in August 2015."

Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Culture, Recreation and Countryside, Councillor Keith Chapman, said: "Hampshire has a strong sporting heritage, with many exceptional sportsmen and women living in the county. The Hampshire Talented Athlete Scheme goes some way to providing much needed support to these committed, talented and determined sportsmen and women. We look forward to watching the progress of our local athletes towards achieving their sporting ambitions and perhaps producing some home grown Olympians for the Rio 2016 Olympics."

Athletes are also offered public speaking training which prepares them to deliver inspiring school assemblies. In 2014 over 50 schools received an assembly with an overwhelmingly positive response from both the schools and the athletes. The assemblies are themed around aspirations resilience and aim to provide local role models for children and young people in Hampshire.

Councillor Peter Edgar, Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Education added: "In Hampshire every young person matters. We want them to all achieve their sporting potential, whether they become an Olympic athlete or whether to take up a sport for their pleasure for the rest of their lives. There are educational benefits and health benefits by being active and we believe that sport is of the maximum importance for the full development of young people in Hampshire. Hampshire County Council has over the years put millions of pounds into sporting facilities for our schools and supports the Hampshire Schools Partnership which hosts the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Games every year, in which all schools, whether in the private sector, or the public sector, are invited to participate."

]]>Fri, 23 Jan 2015 11:47:00 GMTHampshire sporting and culture groups benefit from more than £36,000 in County Council grantshttp://www3.hants.gov.uk/hantswebnewslist.htm?id=665718http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hantswebnewslist.htm?id=665718
Hampshire sporting and culture groups benefit from more than £36,000 in County Council grants

Friday, 23 January 2015

Drama groups for people with learning disabilities, community running events and first aid training for young people are just some of the 18 sports and culture organisations across the county that have been awarded grants totalling £36,278 from Hampshire County Council

At his Decision Day on 19 January 2015, Councillor Keith Chapman awarded the grants for a variety of projects, including helping provide girls with more opportunities to play competitive cricket and to the Blue Apple Theatre to help them expand their offer of cultural activities for people with learning disabilities.

The grant funding will help these organisations to continue to run activities and services within the community.

The money has been awarded from the Community Activity grant stream. The purpose of this grant stream is to provide general support, up to a maximum of £3,000, to groups and organisations which encourage and provide opportunities for individuals and communities to participate in community focussed cultural and recreational activities.

Councillor Chapman said: "By encouraging and providing opportunities for people to participate and enjoy a range of community focussed, cultural and recreational activities, these groups play an important role in supporting our work, particularly in the current economic climate as financial pressures continue. This means it is more important than ever to support organisations that promote sport and assist the most vulnerable in our society and I am pleased we have been able to make a contribution."

The full breakdown of grant funding is as follows -

Organisation

District

Project

Grant amount

Alton Town Council

East Hampshire

Alton Walking Festival – to expand the annual event. The 2015 festival aims to put more emphasis on the longer distance walks and will include themed walks that showcase Alton and the surrounding countryside as well as walks that encourage an active lifestyle. 400 residents are expected to benefit.

£1,000

Autism Hampshire

County wide

Serendipity Social Groups – to set up and facilitate four distinctive user led social groups for adults with Asperger’s / High Functioning Autism in different areas of Hampshire following a successful pilot in 2014 in Fareham.

£2,500

Blue Apple Theatre

Winchester

This grant has been awarded to assist the organisation to expand their offer of cultural activities for people with learning disabilities. This will include the roll out of drama sessions in Andover, Gosport and Aldershot. 300 residents are expected to benefit.

£3,000

British Red Cross

County wide

Funding to support the provision of first aid training to vulnerable young people aged 10-18, including people living in areas of deprivation. Particular areas of focus are Havant and Gosport and the New Forest.

£2,000

Carroll Centre

Winchester

The organisation is seeking funding to put on a music festival, Stanmore LIVE, that celebrates local, established and upcoming talent working with Music4EveryoneUK, Winchester City Council, The University of Winchester and local schools. Outreach work will take place in schools and 2,250 residents are expected to benefit.

£3,000

Forest Forge Theatre Company

New Forest

The organisation is seeking funding to bring together a young cast to form a theatre company within the support of a professional company. They will invite 20 Year 10 pupils from local schools to audition and then join the company for tow weeks, during which they will rehearse and then tour a show to local secondary schools. The show will be offered free to schools and show will focus on the theme of body image. 1,300 residents are expected to benefit.

£3,000

Hampshire Cricket Board

County wide

This funding will go towards providing girls with more opportunities to play competitive matches. 45 residents are expected to benefit.

£500

Hampshire Cricket Board

County wide

Funding towards providing a programme of summer training and matches for new players drawn mainly from Hampshire Cricket’s secondary special schools programme. 32 residents are expected to benefit.

£1,994

Hampshire Junior Squash Committee

County wide

Funding to support pay and play opportunities in members clubs for an estimated 200 juniors whose parents wouldn’t normally consider paying to join the club.

£500

Kingsley Organisation

East Hampshire

Funding to support the Kingsley Wildlife Project to work with a disability group and local community volunteers to develop a wildlife garden at Kingsley Centre.

£1,000

Live Theatre Winchester Trust Ltd

Winchester

This funding will go towards delivering a project to engage with around 20 young people aged between five and 11, with peer mentoring, from 20 young people aged 12-18. The grant will cover the fees of professional circus practitioners who will be commissioned to deliver circus skills workshops and who will work alongside Theatre Royal Winchester youth theatre leaders to create a short performance to be showcased at the Hat Fair 2015 and at a celebration the new Berewood Primary School in Havant.

£3,000

Motiv8 South Ltd (known as Motiv8)

Gosport

Funding to support its MUSIC project which is aimed a young people aged 13-19 and will use a rage of musical genres as a medium to explore important topics such as legal highs, bullying and employability with the view to improving young people’s outcomes. 150 residents are expected to benefit.

£2,000

Proteus Theatre Company

Basingstoke

Funding to continue an arts and drama programme for children with additional needs and Autistic Spectrum Disorder that began earlier this year. 20 residents are expected to benefit.

£2,084

Solent Youth Action

Eastleigh

Funding for a volunteer supported project working with young people aged 16-25 who are not in education, employment or training, who may be yo9ung offenders or those with disabilities or young carers. The ReCharge project enables those who attend to develop by learning new skills, raising aspirations and increasing confidence. 50 residents are expected to benefit.

£3,000

Stokes Bay Parkrun

Gosport

Funding to help put on a free weekly timed 5k event in Gosport. Parkrun is targeted at all people interested in running whether experienced or new to the sport. 125 people are expected to benefit.

£3,000

The Conservation Volunteers

County wide

Funding to support a programme of 30 one day conservation volunteering opportunities.

£1,400

Winchester Chamber Music Festival

Winchester

Funding to support an annual four day event made up of public concerts, open rehearsals, talks and a educational/outreach programme, all relating to chamber music. 2015 marks the eighth festival and as such a larger than usual festival with new aspects including a large gala concert and a schools concert, both at the Theatre Royal. 1,600 residents are expected to benefit.

£2,500

Greyshott Concerts

East Hampshire

Funding towards the organisation’s choral programme for 2015/16. The event is in its 11th year and 400 residents are expected to benefit.

As the BBC starts off its 2015 drama season with the much anticipated Wolf Hall, Hampshire is once again prominent as a location.

Scenes for the BBC 2 drama, starting on Wednesday 21 January at 9pm, were shot at Winchester's Great Hall (courtroom scenes), Winchester Cathedral and the Hospital of St Cross in July 2014, firmly cementing the city and county's reputation as a great place to film.

The six part series based on the best selling novel by Hilary Mantel, tells the story of Henry VIII's court from the perspective of his adviser, Thomas Cromwell, (Mark Rylance) and features his first two wives (of six), Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn (Claire Foy). Henry VIII is played by Homeland star Damian Lewis.

The Assistant Location Manager initially approached Film Hampshire for potential film locations for this production last February.

Film Hampshire promotes Hampshire's unique character and historic appeal to attract film crews to the area. It's thanks to them that over £8.5m of production spend was brought into Hampshire in 2014, giving a massive boost to the local economy.

Film Hampshire is part of Hampshire County Council's Economic Development service and attracts top blockbusting productions to the area.

So far they have identified some 400 film locations including historic country houses, parks and acres of woodland. Film crews who base themselves in Hampshire also benefit from the excellent domestic and international transport links, a wealth of historical connections, local expertise and an extensive network of contacts. In addition, a large number of locally-based companies provide services to the creative industries.

Last year 11 feature films and five high profile TV productions were shot in the county.

The key productions that chose to film in Hampshire include: Mission Impossible 5, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, The Avengers: Age of Ultron, 24: Live Another Day, Criminal, The Hollow Crown: Wars of the Roses and Downton Abbey. All in all, Hampshire has seen over 350 days of top quality filming taking place within its boundaries.

Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment, Councillor Seán Woodward, said: "Film Hampshire have done an outstanding job in attracting many high profile productions into the county in the last year and I am confident it will continue to do so. Filming in Hampshire has a positive effect on our economy, with film crews staying and spending money locally as well as publicising Hampshire to support our tourism industry. Tourism plays a vital role in Hampshire generating well over £3 billion each year from visitors coming into Hampshire, and providing more than 60,000 jobs."

]]>Tue, 20 Jan 2015 13:41:00 GMTHampshire is the new Hollywoodhttp://www3.hants.gov.uk/hantswebnewslist.htm?id=663854http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hantswebnewslist.htm?id=663854
Hampshire is the new Hollywood

Thursday, 08 January 2015

In 2014 Hampshire could have been mistaken for Hollywood with 11 feature films and five high profile TV productions being shot in the county.

The key productions that chose to film in Hampshire include: Mission Impossible 5, Pride and Prejudice, Zombies, The Avengers: Age of Ultron, 24: Live Another Day, Criminal, Wolf Hall, The Hollow Crown: Wars of the Roses and Downton Abbey. All in all, Hampshire has seen over 350 days of top quality filming taking place within its boundaries.

All made possible by Film Hampshire, who promote Hampshire's unique character and historic appeal to attract film crews to the area. It's thanks to them that over £8.5m* of production spend was brought into Hampshire, giving a massive boost to the local economy.

Film Hampshire is part of Hampshire County Council's Economic Development service and attracts top blockbusting productions to the area. So far they have identified some 400 film locations including historic country houses, parks and acres of woodland. Film crews who base themselves in Hampshire also benefit from the excellent domestic and international transport links, a wealth of historical connections, local expertise and an extensive network of contacts. In addition, a large number of locally-based companies provide services to the creative industries.

Executive Member for Economy, Transport and Environment, Councillor Seán Woodward, said: "Film Hampshire have done an outstanding job in 2014 attracting many high profile productions into the county which has a positive effect on our economy, with film crews staying and spending money locally as well as publicising Hampshire to support our tourism industry. Tourism plays a vital role in Hampshire generating well over £3 billion each year from visitors coming into Hampshire, and providing more than 60,000 jobs."

Check out Film Hampshire's website which has a film map showing locations that have been used over the years. For example historic Winchester College featured in the multi-award winning Les Misérables, ornate Stratfield Saye House was the backdrop for scenes from War Horse and several James Bond films were shot in the county, including Skyfall and The Quantum of Solace.

Hampshire County Council is now embarking on a programme to ensure these well- loved and unique parks continue to attract the next generation of visitors and are financially sustainable in the future; thereby safeguarding them for future generations. The transformation programme aims to provide the country parks with better facilities and more activities for people to enjoy all year round; attract new visitors and encourage return visits. Hampshire's country parks already contribute £2.6m to the local tourism industry. It is anticipated that the Council's investment would lever further funding from public and private sector partners, alongside bids to organisations such as the Heritage Lottery Fund, to total around £13million.

Councillor Keith Chapman, Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Culture, Recreation and Countryside, said: "All of our country parks are well loved and well used and we are proud to manage them. We want to hear from those who use the parks what they like and dislike most about them so we can look to make changes where needed. We also want to hear from people that don't use our country parks so much to find out why and what would entice them to visit. All our country parks are working towards being financially self sufficient. The parks will remain at the heart of the community while contributing to a more vibrant local economy, and continue to provide a safe environment to learn about the countryside with improved educational provision. I would encourage as many people as possible to take part in the surveys as this information will be used to shape the future direction of the parks."

The transformation aims to:

Maintain a high quality, good value visitor experience.

Improve the experience for visitors during wet weather and explore opportunities to increase visitor numbers in off season and off peak times.

Develop opportunities to increase activities that support the unique aspect of each park

Review opening times and charging policies to ensure good value for money.

Intensify the character and experience at each park.

Involve other Hampshire County Council services to support their priorities and services through targeted activity.

Strengthen the involvement of local communities.

To be a showcase for Hampshire County Council Services.

Ensure that collectively the Country Parks become financially self sustaining.

Research into what visitors to our parks like and dislike, and how they think the parks can be transformed for future use and enjoyment is currently underway and will run until 10 January 2015. Researchers will be at each of the sites to carry out visitor surveys and copies of these surveys are available at every park. Along with the views of our regular visitors, we're also really keen to hear the views of people who aren't regular visitors to our parks, or haven't visited a country park in our county within the last 12 months.

Lepe car park will stay open for longer from next year in response to requests from local people.

At his decision day on Thursday December 4, Councillor Keith Chapman, Hampshire County Council's Executive Member for Culture, Recreation and Countryside, agreed to extend the beach car park opening times in the mornings and evenings taking account of sunrise and sunset times during the summer months, April-September. Currently the car park at Lepe closes at 8pm, or dusk, whichever comes sooner.

The decision is in response to local demand, and also takes into account the views of landowners.

Lepe Country Park is managed by Hampshire County Council's Countryside Service and comprises an area owned and managed by Hampshire County Council, and areas leased from external landowners.

The park lies within the New Forest National Park and is well used, with 270,000 visitors a year.

Councillor Chapman said: "Lepe is a well loved and well used country park which Hampshire County Council is proud to manage. This decision shows we have listened to what local people and visitors want and we are willing to extend the opening hours as far as we can, taking into account the wishes of the landowners. All our country parks are working towards being financially self sufficient by 2018, as Government funding for local authorities continues to be reduced, and so any additional costs associated with the extended opening times will need to be offset by additional income."

A decision on exact opening times between April and September will be made at a later stage after consultation with the landowners and customers.